EU Health Commissioner: The Measures taken by Bulgaria on Rinderpest are Strictly in Line with the EC's Recommendations

Sofia. The measures taken by the Bulgarian authorities on the outbreaks of ovine rinderpest are strictly in line with the European Commission's recommendations and procedures, Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis told Bulgarian reporters, Focus News Agency reports. "We should once again send a very clear message that such disease is very dangerous when animals have direct contact between them. But the human factor plays a very important role. It should be stressed to people that it is obligation to society to follow strict rules and procedures. Of course, it is very bad for people to see their animal slaughtered, but they should understand that these are necessary measures," he said. "I want to raise a question about different rumours. It has nothing to do with bioterrorism. People should understand that we have a lot of diseases on ground because of the climate change. You remember that in 2010 there was an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and the Bulgarian veterinary authorities did a very good job. Then we had a next crisis when cows were affected with lumpy skin disease, but it was eradicated using EU support programmes. Now it is an expected outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR). But let me reassure you once again: strict biosecurity measures, regionalisation, these are necessary measures," the commissioner said.